Response of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) to Drip Irrigation under Different Planting Patterns in Semi-Arid Eastern Plain Zone of Rajasthan

Field studies were conducted for three consecutive years during rabi season of 2012–13, 2013–14 and 2014–15 in semiarid conditions of Rajasthan to select appropriate drip irrigation schedule to maximize productivity of fenugreek and to obtain higher water use efficiency. The experiment comprised of nine treatments of irrigation levels and planting pattern viz. surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio with normal row planting, drip irrigation at 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0IW/CPE ratio with normal as well as paired row planting. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. Drip irrigation at an IW/CPE ratio 0.6 with paired row planting, being at par with 0.6 IW/CPE ratio in normal row planting and drip irrigation at 0.8 and 1.0 IW/CPE ratio in normal and paired row planting, recorded significantly higher plant height (103.07 cm), number of branches/plant (5.45), pods/plant (30.38), seeds/pod (16.60), pod length (12.03 cm), test weight (13.32g), seed yield (18.77 q/ha), straw yield (47.27 q/ha), biological yield (66.04 q/ha) net returns (Rs.45952/ha) and B: C ratio (2.57) over 0.4 IW/CPE ratio with normal and paired row planting and surface irrigation at IW/CPE ratio 1.0. Further, drip irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE ratio with paired row planting, remaining comparable to drip irrigation at 1.0 and 0.8 IW/CPE ratio, recorded higher water use efficiency (6.74 kg/ha-mm), water saving (35.3%) and yield increase (49.3%) over surface irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE ratio (control). So, scheduling of drip irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE ratio with paired row planting can be a better alternative over surface irrigation for increasing productivity and water use efficiency in fenugreek.